Planned spontaneity

‘Oooh – shots are fired!’ someone shouted, followed by echoes of laughter in the Chevy. Gun fingers were immediately waved up in the air.

Here we are driving to West Montréal joking around, even with me like I was their friend all these years.

Where I’m from, gun fingers would never be a sign coupled with friendly banters among friends - epic like the “f*** you” hand gesture from Friends.

Just four days ago, all these “ghetto” talk would seem awkward because I didn’t know how to react. The only limited ghetto references that I had were from Coach Carter & I don’t even know if that was legitimately “ghetto”.

I was supposed to go to Florida & visit Harry Potter world for spring break. But somehow, two weeks before that, I called a friend in Ontario & asked if she knew anyone in Montréal to host me. Hence, away I went on VIARAIL, met with a total stranger & stayed with her.

The trip didn’t cost much, but it was expensively worrying for my mom. I was even labeled as “too daring”. I was not stupid enough to go with no resources in case things go astray. It’s a city, how bad could it be. But yes, maybe I was psychotic not to have anything planned.

So Christine, my host, first brought me to Oratoire Saint-Joseph. & I knew this trip already aced Florida.

A 100-year-old white stone structure, so magnificently high on a mountain was amazing. I wondered how our ancestors ever built such an edifice. My awe didn’t stop there. The inside was even more breathtaking.

Built with a Basilica, a crypt & votive church, all were so diverse from each other but harmonic nonetheless. The Basilica was modern with a metallic crucifix hung from the ceiling. Despite not being a fan of modern designed churches, a lasting impression was left on me. Right below it, the crypt was divine, staying true to the classic Italian renaissance architecture.

Montréal is a beautiful city. On top of that I had the luxury to meet friendly & accommodating people who set aside time to show me around & tell me calorie-worthy food. Even rub off a little ghetto on me as a bonus.

Harry Potter world is iconic, but beautiful old Montréal is a classic. If I didn’t go then, I don’t think I would ever have. Everyone goes down south & I ended up even further north for spring break.

So how did I end up in Montréal for spring break? It didn’t matter. Regret is far from my heart as Christine, now my newfound friend, waved a goodbye gun finger at me – bang bang bang.